What a cat needs
What do you need for a new cat or kitten?
To give your new cat a pleasant home, it is best to have a few things in the house. Here is the shopping list.
What are the basic items I need for my new cat?
Make sure you have the following things at home before your new cat arrives:
- 2 water bowls
- 2 food bowls
- at least 1 scratching post
- 2 litter boxes
- Toys
- A cushion or basket
Why do I need many things in duplicate?
Cats do not like to leave both urine and faeces in the same place. They also drink more when there are several large water bowls distributed around the house. Scratching posts are very important for a cat, ideally one near the entrance of the house and one near where she sleeps. Various toys and climbing opportunities provide stimulation and help prevent boredom.
Why is the scratching post so important for my cat?
Scratching causes the outer nail of your cat to loosen and make way for the new nail beneath it. But your cat also marks her territory by scratching; she spreads scents from glands between her paw pads to tell fellow cats that this is her living area. Make sure there is at least one scratching post at the entrance of the house. The scratching post near the sleeping spot is more for relaxation.
Are there medical matters I need to arrange for my new cat?
Cats are susceptible to worms. Ideally, the breeder has already started deworming your kitten. You will take over from here. Make sure you have a deworming treatment at home. A cat must be dewormed every two weeks from week 3 to week 9. Then in months 3, 4, 5 and 6. After that you move to a treatment every 2 months.
Tapeworms occur mainly in adult cats. An adult cat should ideally receive a treatment against both roundworms and tapeworms every 2 to 6 months.
Also treat your cat regularly with anti-flea and tick treatments.
Microchip your cat
By microchipping your cat and registering her details under your name in a database, you ensure that people know where she belongs. Useful if she ever gets lost and ends up in a shelter. There they scan her chip and your name and address appear on the computer screen. Getting a chip fitted is easily arranged at the vet.
With a microchipped cat you can also travel abroad.